Basel: Taiwanese shuttlers Lin Chun-yi and twin brothers Lee Fang-jen and Lee Fang-chih advanced to the Swiss Open semifinals on Friday after defeating their respective opponents.
According to Focus Taiwan, the world No. 21 Lee brothers, competing in men's doubles, achieved an unexpected victory against Indonesian players Sabar Karyaman Gutama and Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani with scores of 21-19, 14-21, 21-13 in the quarterfinals at St. Jakobshalle arena. The match began with both teams in close contention, tying the score at 10-10 before the mid-game interval. The Taiwanese duo then surged ahead to secure the first game. Despite a setback in the second game due to unforced errors, the Lee brothers regained their composure in the third game, leading 11-9 and further extending their advantage to win the match. They are set to face Indonesia's Muhammad Shohibul Fikri and Daniel Marthin in the semifinals.
In the men's singles, world No. 11 Lin Chun-yi defeated Thailand's Kunlavut Vitidsarn 21-16, 21-15 in a 43-minute quarterfinal match. Lin's coach, Feng Sheng-chieh, credited Lin's victory to his strategic play, which involved maintaining pressure on his opponent with smashes and aggressive net play. Lin is scheduled to compete against China's eighth-seeded Weng Hongyang in the semifinals.
The Swiss Open, part of the Badminton World Federation World Tour Super 300, will continue until Sunday.